CHESCO CRIME WATCH: Man briefly escapes during transport to prison

LOWER OXFORD — A 44-year-old Oxford man briefly escaped police custody at about 1:40 a.m. Tuesday on Route 1 as officers were transporting him to Chester County Prison, according to state police.

Police said Anthony L. Aldridge, 44, kicked out an Oxford Borough police cruiser window and was able to exit the vehicle. The officers were able to regain custody of Aldridge, who allegedly threatened to “slit the throats” of the officers numerous times, police said.

Aldridge was charged with escape, terroristic threats, resisting arrest, institutional vandalism, and related charges. He was taken to Chester County Prison and held on $75,000 bail.

EAST CALN

A 25-year-old Downingtown woman is facing drug charges after police found her unconscious in her vehicle at about 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 28 at the Wawa gas pumps in the 1000 block of East Lancaster Avenue.

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According to the Downingtown Police Department, Kimberly L. Dittbrenner was driving on a suspended license and admitted to possessing drugs when contacted by police.

Drug possession charges are pending, police said.

Jennifer A. Grattan, 49, of Downingtown, was charged with retail theft after she allegedly attempted to leave a store without payment at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the 1000 block of East Lancaster Avenue.

According to the Downingtown Police Department, Grattan attempted to leave the Wegman’s Food Market without paying for $279.85 worth of merchandise.

Alkeshia S. Smith, 39, of Downingtown, was charged with retail theft when she left the Wegman’s Food Market with $27.95 worth of merchandise about 10:45 p.m. on Oct. 26.

WALLACE

State police are investigating the theft of two stolen credit cards from an 84-year-old victim sometime in October from the 1700 block of Creek Road.

Police said the suspect, an employee, used the cards for 29 fraudulent purchases, which were reported to credit card companies.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call state police at 484-340-3241.

The following people were arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.

Brett A. Higginbotham, 45, of Glenmoore, was charged with DUI and traffic violations following a traffic stop at 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 26 in the area of Manor and Lloyd avenues, according to the Downingtown Police Department.

Adrian Pena-Gonzalez, 24, of Coatesville, was charged with DUI and driving without a license following a traffic stop at 2:20 a.m. on Oct. 27 near West Uwchlan Avenue and the Route 30 Bypass, according to the Downingtown Police Department.

Saul D. Wilson, 36, of Coatesville, was charged with DUI and driving on sidewalks after police allegedly found him parked in someone’s yard at 8:45 p.m. on Oct. 28 on Hunt Avenue, according to the Downingtown Police Department.